Method and Apparatus for Water Treatment to Eliminate Aquatic Organisms
First Claim
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1. A method for reducing aquatic organic contamination present in a volume of water, comprising:
- pumping the water from an open body of water contaminated with aquatic organisms through an elongate conduit system, the water having a volumetric flow rate that is the same at all points in the system, and having, at any point in the system, a pressure head and a velocity head; and
directing the water into a ship'"'"'s ballast tank; and
characterised by pumping the water through a conduit system of varying diameter such that the pressure head in the water is caused to fall to a level below atmospheric pressure at a first point in the system by increasing the velocity head of the water at the first point.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for treating water such as ballast water in ships in order to eliminate aquatic organisms in the water. The water is led under pressure through a conduit into a chamber of greater cross-section than that of the conduit so that an abrupt reduction in pressure occurs. Cavitation ensues, leading to the release of dissolved gases. Ultrasonic vibration is generated and is applied to the water, exerting a pounding effect that weakens or destroys the organisms present. Other means may be used to generate further mechanical, electrical, and chemical forces in the water which attack the organisms.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for reducing aquatic organic contamination present in a volume of water, comprising:
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pumping the water from an open body of water contaminated with aquatic organisms through an elongate conduit system, the water having a volumetric flow rate that is the same at all points in the system, and having, at any point in the system, a pressure head and a velocity head; and directing the water into a ship'"'"'s ballast tank; and characterised by pumping the water through a conduit system of varying diameter such that the pressure head in the water is caused to fall to a level below atmospheric pressure at a first point in the system by increasing the velocity head of the water at the first point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16)
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- 12. The method of claim further comprising introducing a gas under pressure into the water.
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17. An apparatus for reducing aquatic organisms in a body of water, comprising:
- an elongate conduit system having an upstream end and a downstream end, and being configured to permit the water to flow therein at a constant volumetric rate, characterised in the conduit system defining portions that comprise;
a first tapered portion having a generally frusto-conical shape, and having a downstream end defining a first opening having a first diameter, and an upstream end defining a second opening having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and
a first reactor portion having a generally cylindrical shape with a third diameter, larger than the first diameter, the first reactor portion being connected to the downstream end of the first tapered portion by a radially disposed connector, such that the diameter of the conduit system immediately increases abruptly downstream of the first opening in the tapered portion;
wherein the first diameter is sized to initiate cavitation in water flowing downstream through the conduit system. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- an elongate conduit system having an upstream end and a downstream end, and being configured to permit the water to flow therein at a constant volumetric rate, characterised in the conduit system defining portions that comprise;
Specification